IMPORTANT DATES

• Nominations open September 18, 2026.

• Nominations must be received by 11:59 p.m., October 16, 2026, to be considered.

• Nominees will be notified on a rolling basis and no later than October 17, 2026.

• Nominees must accept nomination and provide requested documents by October 23, 2026.

• Nominee Interviews will be held from October 23-25, 2026, virtually.

• Award Winners will be announced on November 1, 2026.

• The awards will be given on November 20, 2026, at the Barbara Jordan Scholarship & Leadership Breakfast. Winners MUST be present!

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A demonstration of leadership within their law school, legal community, or broader community.

• Meaningful commitment to service, civic engagement, or advancing opportunities for others.

• Leadership skills, community activities and/or special accomplishments.

REQUIREMENTS

• Membership in an underrepresented minority group.

• Current enrollment or recent graduate from a Houston-area, ABA-accredited law school (i.e., South Texas College of Law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and University of Houston Law Center).

• Nominations must be submitted by published deadline.

• Nominees will be required to provide their resume and a brief statement explaining their leadership, service, and community impact.

FAQs

• A candidate may nominate themself or be nominated by a third party.

• The Barbara Jordan Leadership award is open to 1L, 2L, 3L, part-time students, and 2025/2026 graduates.

• One (1) recipient from each law school will be selected.

• Candidates may apply for both a scholarship and leadership award however, they will not receive both a scholarship and a leadership award at the Breakfast.

• There is no minimum GPA requirement to be eligible for a leadership award however, educational excellence may be considered.

• Nominees do not have to be members of HLA or BLSA however, membership status may be considered.

• The Barbara Jordan Leadership Award is not a scholarship. Candidates interested in scholarship opportunities should apply for the Scholarships.

HOW TO APPLY

The nomination form and document submission can be completed electronically.